Intravenous regional anesthesia is a simple and effective method of analgesia of an extremity by intravenous injection of a local anesthetic while the circulation is interrupted. Although the pharmacokinetics of the injected drug is relatively well known, its precise mode of action is still not well understood. The complications of the technique are uncommon and generally minor ones. They occur immediately after tourniquet release. The relative and absolute contra-indications to the use of intravenous regional anesthesia are presented.